The ETO

bigpigeon.us webarea WW II - Germany > ETO > France Liberated, updated by RAC 14 Jul '19.

​During the six-weeks from early August to mid September 1944, most of France and Belgium was liberated by Allied forces.

Links to the France Liberated subordinate webpages (copied from WW II - Germany > ETO)

France Liberated, Jul - Sep '44. (updated 14 Jul '19)

• The Normandy Breakout, 25 Jul - 22 Aug '44 (partly done)
• Northern France Liberated, Aug - Sep '44 (almost done)
• Southern France Liberated, Aug - Sep '44 (almost done)

 The quick liberation of France was the result of two Allied drives that combined caused most German resistance in France to collapse:

• Resulting from the Normandy breakout, northeast across northern France and through Belgium by four Allied armies. (From left to right across the Allied advance, 1st Canadian Army, 2nd British Army, 1st US Army, and 3rd US Army.)
• Striking north from the southern France landing of August 15, a much-smaller force of two Allied armies. (7th US Army and 1st French Army).

Around mid September, troops from the 3rd and 7th Armies met. By then, the four Germany armies in France had withdrawn to new defensive positions near or behind the German border.

France Liberated

Some areas of France were not liberated by the middle of September:

• Some ports in the Bay of Biscay remained in German hands until the end of WW II.
• Eastern Lorraine was mostly liberated in November 1944.
• Alsace was mostly liberated in November 1944.

Sources for the WW II - France Liberated webpage

• The France Liberated map is courtesy of howstuffworks.com.